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Worship That Makes You Say, “Wow!!”

Worship services are not on the list of things that make most people shout "Wow!" In Playing Marbles With Diamonds (Baker Book House, Grand rapids, ML 1985; p 49), Vance Havner commented on the low quality of much "worship" in modem America: "God forgive us for gathering in His name, not expecting much to happen, praying for rain but not carrying our umbrellas. We pay church staffs to do church work and then gather on Sunday to watch them do it! It is a performance, not an experience. When the preacher stands up to preach, the attitude is, 'All right, preacher, let's see what you've got.' When he finishes we say in effect, 'I move we accept this as information and be dismissed.' No wonder we meet at eleven o' clock sharp and end at twelve o' clock dull." The New Testament directs every worshiper to worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). We who worship are, in the final analysis, in charge of the quality of our worship. If we are dull, worship will be dull. If we are sharp, worship will be sharp, too!

Revelation 4 reveals worship that will make you say, "WOW!" What is taking place in that chapter is worship of the Almighty God-pure, unadulterated, high-octane worship. Revelation 4:8-11 describes the scene: "Four living creatures .... do not rest day or night, saying: 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!' Whenever the I iving creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who I ives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fal I down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 'You are worthy, 0 Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.'" Worship in Heaven is not dull. And it not about me and it is not about you. No one there is saying they don't get anything out of the worship. No one is bored or calling for "worship renewal." No one is in a hurry to get out and no one is leaving during the closing song. No one is whispering or sleeping or clipping their finger nails or any of the many distracting things some people do during worship here on earth. In Heaven the congregation is not worshiping praise or praising worship. They are worshiping and praising and thanking and adoring God for who He is. They are having worship that would make any genuine Christian say, "WOW!" because their focus is on the Almighty, eternal, creator God who should make us say, "WOW!" When was the last time worship made you say, "WOW!?" If everyone worshiped the way you do, would worship be dull or dynamic?